James Garner - dies aged 86 - R.I.P.

James Garner - born James Scott Baumgarner was born in Oklahoma on April 7th 1928 and passed away of natural causes at home on Saturday evening 19th July 2014.


A veteran of more than fifty film appearances and numerous television series, Garner was also a veteran of the Korean War where he was wounded twice and subsequently awarded two Purple Hearts. He first came to acting in a non-speaking Broadway stage play 'The Caine Mutiny Court Martial' in 1954 before film and television beckoned and brought him six decades of success from the mid-50's onward.

His film career was as diverse and colourful as his small screen career with movies credits that include 'Move over, Darling', 'Marlowe', 'The Americanisation of Emily', 'The Great Escape', 'Grand Prix', 'Support your local Sherrif', 'Support your local Gunslinger', 'The Fan', 'Victor Victoria', 'Maverick', 'Space Cowboys', 'Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood' and 'The Notebook'.

His TV acting credits include 'Conflict' from 1956-57 over three episodes, 'Cheyenne' from 1955-57 over four episodes, 'Maverick' from 1957-62 over 60 episodes, 'Nichols' from 1971-2 over 24 episodes,  'The Rockford Files' (for which he is perhaps best known) from 1974-80 over 122 episodes and taking in eight TV movies from 1994-99, 'Bret Maverick' from 1981-82 over 18 episodes, 'Man of the People' from 1991-92 over ten episodes, 'Chicago Hope' in 2000 over four episodes, 'God, the Devil and Bob' from 2000-01 over 13 episodes, 'First Monday' in 2002 over 13 episodes and '8 Simple Rules' from 2003-05 over 45 episodes. He played the character of Bret Maverick in four TV series - 'Sugarfoot', 'Maverick', 'Young Maverick', and 'Bret Maverick' from 1957-1982.

Whilst filming 'Grand Prix' in 1966 he got the taste for motor racing (much like his good friend Paul Newman did later on in life), and became the owner of the 'American International Racer' team from 1967-69, and later on drove a pace car in the 59th, 61st and 69th Indianapolis 500. He was an avid golfer too winning a number of amateur tournaments, and a keen follower of 'The Oakland Raiders' American football team. During his time playing Jim Rockford in the 70's he experienced ongoing knee problems and had both knees replaced subsequently. He was hospitalised with a bleeding ulcer in 1979, underwent quintuple heart by-pass surgery in 1988, and suffered a major stroke in 2008 from which he recovered well following surgery.

Garner was nominated for an Academy Award in 1986 for Best Actor in 'Murphy's Romance'. He won three Golden Globes for 'Barbarians at the Gate', 'Decoration Day' and as 'Most Promising Male Newcomer' in 1958, and had nine other nominations. He also won two Primetime Emmy Awards for 'Promise' and 'The Rockford Files' together with 13 other nominations. Throughout his career he was the recipient of 17 total award wins and 33 further nominations.

Owner of a trademark deep gravelly voice, amiable, handsome, understated, TV icon and on-screen ladies man Garner has left his mark on both film and television history, and is survived by his wife Lois Fleishman Clarke whom he married in 1956.

James Garner - Rest In Peace.
1928-2014

-Steve, at Odeon Online-